Validierungsstudie zum Cookie Theft Picture Test: Früherkennung von Demenzerkrankungen anhand von sprachlichen Auffälligkeiten

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have provided inconsistent results regarding discriminatory language variables between subjects with dementia and healthy controls. In this study, using the Cookie Theft Picture Test (CTP), selected language variables are tested for predicting actual diagnoses. METHODS 24 healthy subjects and 24 subjects with mild dementia were included in the present study. RESULTS All language variables except repetitions, word finding difficulties and paraphasias showed significant differences between the groups. The variables pause length and clues increase significantly the likelihood of AD, while the variable sentence length decreases it. CONCLUSION Due to the small sample size and insufficient standardization, the study can only be interpreted to a limited extent. Nevertheless, the results indicate that the CTP appears to be suitable for practical use.